Discovering Magic
Title: Discovering Magic
Author: Mellie
Artist: dragon_gypsy
Mixer: dragon_gypsy
Fandom or Original: Original
Type: General
Word Count: 11,153
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Olivia, Mr. Gregor
Warnings None
Summary: After the sky war, the Royals took command of magic and twisted it into a barrier that kept its people subservient. Olivia has been trying to deal with everything life has given her, when she stumbles across something she shouldn't. However, she soon finds out that there is much more to magic than she ever thought possible.
Link to art/mix master post: Gears and Wheels
The aftermath of the Sky War left pretty much everywhere desolate. Giant gears from war machines stuck out from the ground like somber statues. The atmosphere was finally clear of the constant airship militia. Still, it was hard not to keep an eye on the sky and worry that another stray missile might be coming for you. They already had destroyed several cities. Casualties of war, they called it. Marked it off as unfortunate incident and moved on to other matters. Like how much to pay themselves now that they finally usurped our last king.
I was personally fully against kings. They all ruined our world. Instead of letting our society progress, they suffocated us with overbearing magic that sucked the life right out of us. It kept electricity dampened and made the citizens a little bit more “agreeable” as they deemed it. We were hardly able to live to forty anymore. A few were lucky enough to be able to repel magic, but most of us were weak and dying.
It was hard to watch your younger brother- barely ten- unable to keep his eyes open for more than an hour or two. Magic loved him, pulled his life right from his blood. I felt helpless as he looked up at me with tired eyes. We’d lost our parents to the War and I was losing my brother to the damn magic they saturated the air with.
I could feel it stealing my breath every time I inhaled. Magic helped itself to what it wished, giving precious little in return. It used us until there was nothing left to use and moved on to the next target. It didn’t seem to care that we were going backwards instead of forwards. Our rulers didn’t mind too much, either. Whenever someone got the nerve up to talk to them, we could feel the magic raise a little more. Wouldn’t be long before we were all dead.
I heard distant rumblings of a revolt. The rich were protected by a magical shield. They could benefit from magic while the rest of us suffered outside the Royal Gates. The gates were some of the few things still standing after the war. I didn’t doubt there was enough magic in there to kill us all if it was redirected.
Shaking my head, I cleared my mind of errant thoughts. It wouldn’t do me any good to go all philosophical while I was trying to keep my brother and me as afloat as best as I could. I had a crummy job doing boring deliveries that paid pennies. It was better than nothing. I could afford a loaf of bread and an apple for dinner. Maybe I could even pick up a chocolate for Henry.
I smiled. I couldn’t spoil my brother like I wanted to, but I could afford the rare indulgence. Chocolates had always been his favorite treat. They were rare and expensive to come by, but I could occasionally save up and purchase one.
Only a few more hours and I could return to the little room I shared with my brother. A kind lady had graciously allowed us to stay in her home as long as we helped with the cleaning. Henry was hardly well enough to do much, so I was left with the brunt of the work. I didn’t mind. It gave me something else to think about aside from the misery we seemed to be living in.
Not watching where I was going, I ran into a distinguished looking gentleman. I muttered my apologies, but kept my eye on him as he walked away. He didn’t seem to be in a particular hurry, but he was greatly out of place. No one in this part of town could dress like he did.
He had on a sharp suit that probably cost more than most people earned in a year. It was nicely tailored with the pinstripes one hardly noticed. My father had owned one that had been passed down through the generations. It had been showing its age, but he was still proud of it. He used to drape it on Henry and state what a fine young man he would grow up to be.
That was lifetimes ago. Before the war raged on and took my parents and my home.
“Olivia!” someone shouted up ahead.
It pulled me out of fond memories and threw me back onto the busy market street. I turned around and saw Mr. Gregor waiting impatiently in the doorway of his shop. He’d been expecting me to deliver some goods to a client and I was probably running late. Sighing, I straightened up and tried to gather my wayward thoughts.
“Sorry, Mr. Gregor. Hope I’m not too late. What do you have for me to deliver today?”
He looked down at me in a mix of pity and annoyance. I didn’t blame him. I had a bad habit of running late and most everyone knew my situation. Magic stole from us all, but it hit Henry particularly hard. I did my best for him, but even then I didn’t know how much longer he could hold out.
“It’s fine, Olivia. Come in back. I just have a few boxes for Hamilton’s shop a few streets down,” he said as he led me into the storage room.
The back was filled with various items that didn’t fit or belong out front. Mr. Gregor specialized in old world crafts. Some of them looked like they had been on the cusp of some cutting edge technology or the other but had been sapped dry when the magic flared up.
I was disappointed to discover that the boxes had already been taped up. There was no way I’d be able to take a peek and see what Mr. Hamilton was getting now. If Mr. Gregor dealt in antiques, Mr. Hamilton dealt in the bizarre. There was always the odd piece of equipment that could whir to life in his shop.
Some people gossiped that he created a minor shield that could temporarily keep the objects alive with electricity. After all, that fetching toy spinning by itself in the window always seemed to be a dud once it returned home. It was probably why he had a strict no return policy. And why he’d received the odd death threat here and there.
I gathered the boxes in my arms and promised to be right on my way. It was harder to dilly dally with my hands full. I guessed it wasn’t feathers I was delivering. I’d be a mite sore come morning. I could hardly see over the boxes and had to keep looking around them to make sure I wasn’t going to run into anybody. I hoped they’d see me first but you could never be too sure.
I turned left down St. Martin Street and paused to readjust the boxes. I really needed to invest in a bike. Or find a different job. I laughed merrily at that. Neither was a remote possibility at this time.
The last hundred feet seemed like a mile, but I finally came up to Hamilton’s Miscellaneous and Sundried Specialties Shop. It always seemed to be an isolated little place on the outskirts of the marketplace. There was a different feel to the air here. It was a little less suffocating and held some sort of charge.
Entering the shop, I called to Mr. Hamilton. “Hello? I’m here with some items from Mr. Gregor. Anyone here?” I asked as I set the boxes on the front counter.
I flexed my fingers a few times to get the circulation going. As I waited, I let my gaze sweep across the room. It was hard to not gawk at all the items filling the shop. It almost seemed like there were more items than room. Gadgets from times past came to life in peculiar ways and I wondered if it was magic or technology at work. They were similar enough in my limited experience.
No one had come out to greet me and I found it odd. I wasn’t running that far behind. I had come straight over from Mr. Gregor’s shop. The boxes were cumbersome, but they hadn’t slowed me down too much. “Hello?” I called again.
Silence greeted me. Something was off, but I couldn’t place my finger on just what it was. I peeked into the room behind the counter, but no one was there to shoo me away. I walked into the back, expecting to see someone rushing out to greet me. It was empty in back as it had been out front.
I kept wandering around the back, thinking I had to run into someone at some point. They wouldn’t just leave their shop unattended, would they? We hadn’t had any trouble with the Royal Police Force lately. No one had been mumbling about confiscated goods or raids on stores since the War.
The longer I looked around, the more I began to wonder how they had a shop that was larger in the back than out front. They could have used with some remodeling to create more room for all the stuff they had. It seemed like forever before I reached the back door. I was going to have a quick peek outside before heading back to Mr. Gregor’s with the boxes. He wouldn’t be too keen on me just leaving everything behind.
I swung my head around the heavy wooden door and frowned. Didn’t look like anyone was out here, either. I stepped outside and was greeted by a sharp, coppery tang. I wrinkled my nose and turned to go back inside when I saw him. I sucked in a breath of air. Mr. Hamilton was slumped against the building, red covering him from his neck down. A gruesome line was cut across his neck. I could practically see his spine.
Trying not to scream and attract whoever had done this to him, I ducked back inside and bolted for the front door. Screw whatever was in the boxes. It wasn’t as important as reporting this to someone.
I don’t know why I didn’t go to the police. It seemed right to return to Mr. Gregor and fill him in on what happened first. He could tell me what to do. I flew down the street faster than I ever had and reached his shop in record time. I told him my story between gasping breaths. He nodded a few times and paled by the time I finished.
“What should I do, Mr. Gregor?” I asked.
He placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly as he led me to the door. “Never you mind, Olivia. I’ll take care of it. Get back to your brother. And take some time off. Clear your head. I’ll contact you in a few days,” he stated with a voice that trembled ever so slightly.
It had to come as a shock. They’d been friends for years. He didn’t seem to want to believe it any more than I had. Henry’s chocolate was forgotten as I returned home. Mr. Gregor hadn’t remembered to pay me for that day and I didn’t even have a loaf of bread to share for dinner. I was glad I had a little saved up to buy two eggs from Mrs. Gentry.
I was so absorbed in the events of the day that I was dreadful company for poor Henry. He kissed my cheek as he went to bed. It didn’t take him long to fall asleep. I was rather jealous. I knew sleep would not be coming any time soon.
Every time I closed my eyes, I only saw Mr. Hamilton against the building covered in blood. I tried to will the image away, but it seemed burned to my eyelids. I’m not sure when I finally fell asleep, but I woke to Henry shaking my shoulder.
“Aren’t you going to be late for work, Livy?” he asked as I blinked at him sleepily.
With a gasp, I sat up and began looking for my clothes. I was rushing around the room when it all came back in a horrifying rush. I was frozen for a few moments before my mind came back to me.
“No, not today. Mr. Gregor was kind enough to give me the day off. Fancy going out?” I inquired.
I hoped he wanted to go out of the cupboard for a few hours. I couldn’t stand being stuck inside all day with little to think about but poor Mr. Hamilton and who could have done such a thing. I waited impatiently for his answer.
“Yes,” he stated, “I do feel well enough to go out today. Where were you thinking?”
Relief flowed over me. “How about the park? It isn’t too far from here. We could take some of our leftover bread and feed the ducks and people watch.”
He smiled at the thought. It wasn’t often we had the chance to just feel like children again. We strolled to the park, the sun shining brightly. It was a beautiful day and cleared my head of any stray dark thought. We watched people wandering through the park until Henry grew tired.
The last time we did this was before the War came and stole away our parents. It was nice to not have to worry about where we’d get our next meal from. As we rounded a corner, we saw a poor dog scared off his meal by nothing more than a mere kitten. We shared a merry laugh.
When we came upon the house, I was startled to see two men at the door with Mrs. Gentry. They were in uniform but something seemed off. I watched them question her as a knot of trepidation coiled in my stomach. They were probably there to ask me questions about Mr. Hamilton. Questions I knew I wouldn’t much like.
“Henry, let’s take a quick stroll to the market and see if we can find something cheap for lunch, okay?” I asked as I guided him away from our home.
He took notice of them as well. He needed a rest, but wasn’t fond of seeing what those men wanted. We spent the day wandering the market and sharing in a small muffin. I couldn’t afford anything more. It made me wish I could find a way to get us out of here and having a better life than this.
We didn’t return until after dark. Mrs. Gentry was relieved those men hadn’t spotted us. She led us to the table with some vegetable broth and crusty bread. “Eat up, children,” she instructed.
As we helped ourselves to a bowl of soup, she related what those men had wanted. “They were looking for you, Olivia. They said they had some questions about something you saw yesterday. They didn’t tell me what, exactly. I knew it wasn’t going to be good, though. They had those stern, hard faces that wouldn’t reveal anything. They didn’t seem on par if you ask me. What sort of trouble have you gotten yourself into, child?”
My stomach dropped like a rock. This wasn’t right at all. There wasn’t something more than just the murder of Mr. Hamilton. I hadn’t a clue what it could have been, though. I just knew we were probably going to have to make a run for it. It wasn’t safe here. We couldn’t impose on Mrs. Gentry like that. I’d see if Henry could stay with someone else while I figured it all out. He didn’t need to be dragged into all of this on account of me.
I didn’t have many options. There weren’t too many people I’d feel comfortable leaving Henry with. Or probably all that many willing to take him in on such short notice. I didn’t have the money to provide food for him and he could hardly earn it on his own. My mind reeled as I tried to go through everyone I could think of.
I almost wished the police hadn’t known where I lived. They could easily return and find Henry. If anything happened to him, I don’t know what I would do. I bit my lip. My options were few and far between. I wasn’t even sure half the people I knew could support another mouth.
“Dear?” Mrs. Gentry asked.
I looked at her for a moment before remembering she had asked a question. “Oh, I’m sorry. My mind is just elsewhere right now. I’m not in any trouble, Mrs. Gentry. I just saw something and I think they want to ask me a few questions. Although, I guess it might take some time and I was thinking of who I could leave Henry with while I was gone,” I replied.
She didn’t need to know that anything was amiss. The less she knew, the better. “I suppose I could arrange for him to stay with my son for a few days. My son should be able to care for him for a few days. And maybe some country air would do him good,” she offered.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was a lot better than I could arrange for him. It would still be pretty easy to find him if they really wanted, but I hoped they would focus on catching me. I prayed they wouldn’t use him as bait to lure me to them.
“That’d be wonderful, Mrs. Gentry. Are you sure it wouldn’t be too much of a bother?”
She smiled at me. Sometimes she was more like a grandmother than a landlady. I enjoyed her company. “Of course not. Matthew has a few children right around Henry’s age. He could have a nice vacation while you took care of this.”
“Thank you so much,” I said as I stood up to give her a hug.
She patted my cheek fondly. “I won’t tell a soul he’s out there. In case there is more going on than you realize,” she told me.
I tightened my arms around her one last time before I ran to our room to pack our bags. We didn’t own much more than a few changes of clothes and the random memento from home. I tucked a few coins into Henry’s satchel and left it on his bed. He couldn’t leave until the morning anyway.
I threw my mother’s half empty journal on top of my things and secured my backpack. I took one last look around the room I’d shared with my brother for the past year before I turned away. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be seeing it again.
Seeing my jacket and bag, Henry uttered a cry of protest. “You aren’t leaving tonight, are you Livy? Won’t you see me off tomorrow morning?”
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and placed a kiss on his head. “I’m sorry, Henry. I need to leave tonight. I’ll contact you as soon as I’m able, okay?”
He nodded and I could feel him holding back his tears. “We’ll be alright, Henry, don’t you worry.” I wasn’t sure if I was telling him or myself that.
I gave Mrs. Gentry one final hug before I slipped out of the house and into the night. I’d been on my own for the past year, but it still felt rather surreal. Add on some rather suspicious police officers, and it was downright confusing.
The first place I decided to look was Mr. Gregor’s shop. It was after hours, but he lived in a flat above his store. Maybe he would have some answers for me. I sure hoped he did. I hadn’t a clue of where to start.
The lights were all out but I rang his doorbell anyway. I was probably going to wake him up. I didn’t really care at this point. He knew more than he had let on. I was sure of it.
There wasn’t any answer, even after I rang the bell again. It echoed merrily through his house, but there weren’t any footsteps or muttered curses. I frowned and started down the street again.
The marketplace was a different place entirely after dark. Candlelight danced out of a few open doorways; none of which I’d call respectable in the least. Bawdy laughter came from a few saloons and I guessed that a few patrons had more than their fair share of alcohol. I blushed as I passed an open window and heard some rather intimate sounds.
Quickening my pace, I left that neighborhood behind. Of course, everywhere else seemed to lack any sort of light. I questioned my idea of running away and hiding. I didn’t know where to run or hide. I certainly hardly knew how to fend for myself while keeping to the shadows. A boring delivery job was about the most I was capable of.
I held on to my backpack straps as I continued walking. If I didn’t have a destination in mind, I still had to make the journey. I stared at the ground, thoughts of everything running circles in my head. I was starting to build up too much hype.
I nearly screamed when a door opened. Upon seeing Mr. Gregor, I calmed considerably. I was wound a lot tighter than I thought I had been.
He stared at me for a few seconds as if he didn’t recognize me. His eyes flickered and he nodded grimly at me. “Hello, Olivia. What are you doing out here?”
“I came to see you,” I replied, not quite sure how to ask him about everything without being completely awkward.
I was thinking a little too hard and didn’t realize how long he must have been waiting for my answer. “Is this about earlier?” he asked, his tone a bit hesitant.
I looked up at him and tried to gauge his face. There weren’t too many emotions on there. Just seemed rather somber. “Ah, well, you see the police came to see me tonight. I don’t know why, but it just didn’t seem right. I…I just came to ask if you might know why,” I rambled.
He frowned, staring at me for a minute or what seemed like forever. With a sweeping glance up and down the street, he ushered me inside. “I was hoping you wouldn’t be caught up in the middle of this. Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”
I shook my head. I was too curious about what was going on to focus on drinking something. He sat across from me, looking older and more tired than I had ever see him before. “How much do you know about magic itself?” he asked after a while.
I looked at him oddly. I knew next to nothing about it. No one really did. It was older than most of us and the common folk hardly had any access to books on it. We only knew that magic was in the air, it was killing us, and the Royal Family controlled it. It was odd that it was everywhere and no one knew anything about it.
“Hardly anything at all. Nothing more than everyone else, that’s for certain.”
He sighed and placed his fingers against his eyes. Someone brought him a mug of beer, which he seemed to readily accept. “Well, there are some people who know a lot more about magic. Knowledge the Royal Elite would rather us not know. I’m one of them. Mr. Hamilton was one of them. I won’t tell you any other names, but there are a good handful of them around town. There are more in other villages. It seems as if the Royal Elite has gotten wind of what some people are planning on doing and they aren’t too fond of it. They started to rebel.
“Knowing they probably had a hand in his death, I took care of Mr. Hamilton myself. I didn’t go to the police. How they learned you were there, I haven’t a clue. I’m sorry that you’re caught up in all of this. I guess I can arrange with a few friends or something and you can hide out until things cool down.”
I stared at him in disbelief. He knew about Magic. Maybe he knew how to cure my brother. Hope rose in my chest. “Do you know how to make Henry better? Is there any way to stop magic from trying to kill him so quickly?”
He shook his head. “I’m afraid that as long as he lives within the city, there isn’t a way. Not with the magical barrier, at least. Outside the city, it’s different. Magic’s nicer. It isn’t trying to suffocate you.”
My heart sank. There was no way I could support my brother and I outside of the city. We were lucky to scrape by within the city. I knew there were people who lived outside the city, but they had to face whatever monsters lived out there. The one good thing about our living within our magic bubble was the protection it offered. Many beasts couldn’t withstand the power it exuded. They kept a wide berth. The only danger we faced was being crushed by the magic bubble. Lucky us.
He placed a coin on the table to pay for our drinks and stood up. “Stay here, Olivia. I’ll be back in a little while to let you know where you will be going.”
I sighed as I watched him leave. I would be stuck out in the middle of nowhere with no way to contact my brother. I hoped that whatever was going on now would be resolved quickly. I couldn’t stand to be doing absolutely nothing.
I picked up his coin and started to play with it while I waited. Our barmaid was probably waiting for it; I didn’t much care. I needed something to keep my hands busy or I’d burst. I was never all that good at waiting. Although, time always seemed to go the opposite of what I wanted it to. If I was in a hurry, it was going faster than I could keep up; if I was waiting, it crawled by slower than a snail. Perhaps that was what it was like for everyone, though.
I felt a tingle spreading across my knuckles as I rolled the coin between my fingertips. It was warm and radiating outwards. There were sharp pangs as it travelled to my wrists. I stopped playing with the coin and stared at my hand.
Almost instantly, it cooled off. The tingling stopped and there were no odd, lingering sensations. I moved the coin again and sudden warmth flooded my fingers. There was something off about this coin. I brought it closer and examined it. It looked like an ordinary five piece. There was some tarnish to it. That was hardly unusual considering the coin was fifteen years old.
I turned it over and the coin seemed to have two appearances. There was another something underneath the top layer. It almost looked like an ordinary one piece. I flipped it back again and the image seemed to shift a little bit more slowly than the coin. I stared at it, perplexed.
I was still studying the coin when Mr. Gregor returned with some of his friends. “Oh, Mr. Gregor,” I started, “Your five piece seems to be doing something odd. It almost looks like there’s a one piece underneath it.”
Our barmaid, who had been hovering the whole time, cast a sharp look at Mr. Gregor. “Are you trying to cheat me William?”
A blush spread over his cheeks. “No, no, of course not Henrietta. Must have just grabbed the wrong thing. Here you are. Keep the change, love,” he told her.
He threw a new coin at her and dragged me out of the little bar. He pulled me into the alley way and turned me to face him. “You could see that, Olivia? You could see the one piece under the illusion?”
“Illusion?” I asked him.
“The thing that made it look like a five piece. You could see both?”
“Of course I could. It was rather obvious, Mr. Gregor.”
He stared at me good and long. I fidgeted under his gaze. Whatever he was looking for, I wasn’t sure I wanted to have it. He looked so eager and hopeful. I was a little bit worried.
“Instead of just laying low in some basement, how would you like to join me in the frontier? There are people there who could train you to use magic. Would you like that, Olivia?”
I stared at him blankly. I hadn’t been expecting that. I didn’t know one could actually wield magic until just a little while ago. “Well, are you sure I can do it?”
He laughed at that. I was glad he found me funny, because I just found this whole situation to be confusing. “Very sure of it, my dear,” he said as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “So, what do you say? Do you want to learn?”
I didn’t have to think very hard about that at all. “Of course I do. If you think I can do it, I’m more than ready to learn.”
He grinned at me. With a happy shove to my shoulder, he called to his friends that I’d be staying with him and he started walking down the alley. I was too overwhelmed by the day to think of any conversation and Mr. Gregor didn’t seem to have any more to say. I was glad it wasn’t too long of a walk or I’d probably have started babbling on about some inane thing and he’d think I was daft.
He led into the house and gave me a brief tour, finally stopping at a small bedroom. “Here’s where you’ll be staying, love. Sleep well. And I do hope you’ve said your goodbyes. Tomorrow we leave by dawn.” He smiled as he shut the door.
It was weird to have an entire room to myself. Even when my parents had been alive, I had shared with my brother. We were too young to want to have our own space. It seemed to be a lot for just one person.
I got ready for bed and slipped between covers that felt like silk. I lay awake for some time wondering how my brother was doing. Hopefully he was able to stay with Mrs. Gentry’s brother. We’d never been apart for too long before. Certainly not more than a few hours since we lost our parents. I didn’t like the thought of not knowing what was going on with him, but I had to trust he would be okay. Until whatever was going on with Mr. Gregor and Mr. Hamilton was cleared up, I didn’t think it would be safe for us to be together.
Sleep came slowly, but it was morning before I knew it. Hazy sun filtered in through the windows and I could hear the town starting to wake up. With a groan, I sat up and gathered my thoughts. Was it really only yesterday morning everything had been so normal?
“Are you up yet, Olivia?” Mr. Gregor asked with a sharp knock on my door.
“Yes, Mr. Gregor. I’ll be ready to go shortly,” I replied.
I knew business people had to be up early to prepare for the day, but it always amazed me how ready people were in the mornings. The cobwebs barely were clear from my mind by ten, let alone eight. I moved a bit slowly as I changed my clothes and made myself presentable. I didn’t think I’d be allowed the luxury of a shower. We seemed to be in a hurry to make it out of town.
I grabbed my bag and headed out into the hall to find my host. He was at the kitchen table enjoying a mug of coffee. A platter of fruit and baked goods was pushed off to one side while papers were spread out in front of him, some of them looking to be quite old. He looked up as I walked through the doorway.
“Ah, Olivia. I’m just finishing up with some paperwork for the shop. Everything should be fine while we are gone. I imagine I can even hire you back on for a few deliveries when we return. That is if you can manage to make it on time, for once. Your sense of timing has always been a bit off,” he stated.
I blushed. It was inexplicable how I never could get somewhere when I was supposed to. I got distracted easily, but I could never quite peg it down. It was as if I existed in another time and space. I sighed. “I’ll do my best. You know that, Mr. Gregor.”
He smiled. “I know you do, Olivia. Why don’t you have a seat and grab a muffin?”
I did as he asked, taking a nice looking blueberry muffin. It tasted good enough, but there was a strange coppery aftertaste. I didn’t mention anything; I didn’t want to seem like an ungrateful guest. I was glad he was going out of his way to help me. Especially since this was a whole lot trickier than I knew how to deal with.
I finished eating just as he pushed all his papers into a waiting satchel. A few pages were bent in half, but he didn’t seem to mind at all. He caught my gaze as he finished. “No one but me looks at these. I shouldn’t mind too much if a few are out of shape.”
I smiled. Mr. Gregor really could make me feel better. He was almost like a father to me. He put the satchel to the side and muttered a few words. The bag disappeared into thin air. I almost asked what he had done to it when I caught a glimpse of it from the corner of my eye. It was the same as what he had done to the coin. Maybe I’d get the chance to learn how to do that while I was out in the border area.
He grabbed a coat and a cap and I was surprised to see his appearance drastically change once his hat was settled on his head. He handed me a fetching little hat and a hair pin. It was quite beautiful, but I had no idea how to wear it. I looked up at his in askance and he shook his head fondly. He attached it to my hair deftly. I wouldn’t have pegged him as the kind that was able to do so. I’d always assumed he had been a lifelong bachelor.
A wave of tingles ran from my head to my toes and I shivered. It was an odd but not unwelcomed sensation. Mr. Gregor frowned at me and I worried the hat wasn’t suited for me after all. “Well, love, it seems as if the charm on this hat wants to conceal you. We’ll have to dress you up in a costume and hope no one is looking too hard for a face like yours.”
I felt disappointed I wouldn’t have a magical disguise like him, but I was satisfied when he presented an arrangement of outfits for me to decide upon. “If you’re going to have to disguise yourself, you might as well pick something you enjoy. And be convincing at. No need for the guards to question what a street urchin is doing acting like a dainty lady, now.”
I hummed to myself as I sorted through the array of garments. There was everything from very nice gowns to tatters and rags. I chose a simple muslin frock with a bright orange ribbon around the middle. Mr. Gregor placed a matching hat on my head with a fashionable, wide brim. “You look pretty as a daisy. Now, let’s begin our journey, Annabelle.”
“Annabelle?” I asked in confusion.
“Certainly. I am Jonathon Williams and I run a simple clothing store and am going out of town to pick up a few new items. I’m bringing along my daughter for a small reprieve from magic,” he told me this story while presenting me with a pretty little locket.
I opened the clasp and was surprised to find a tiny photo of myself and him inside. I could tell magic was responsible for the image as it glimmered ever so slightly. I proudly put it around my neck and modeled it for Mr. Gregor’s approval. He nodded at me and we headed out to a waiting carriage.
It wasn’t as fancy as some of the royal ones that occasionally came through town. It was a simple white carriage with two chestnut horses. A man stood to the side holding the reins. He waited patiently while Mr. Gregor placed our bags in a back compartment. He helped me into the carriage and took a seat up front. I poked my head out and saw he gave the man a quick ten-note. The man bowed and headed up the street.
“Keep your head inside the carriage, Annabelle. We wouldn’t want your hat coming off your head, now,” he advised as he settled into his seat.
I did as I was told, a little down that I didn’t have a better view of outside. There was a small, oval window to the front of the carriage as well as one in the back. It made me dizzy to watch the road behind us and Mr. Gregor blocked most of the front one. I settled in, feeling the uneven dirt beneath us. I wondered if the cobblestone within the palace grounds was any smoother than what we had here.
Since the royalty all lived there, I surmised it was a lot nicer than what we had. I couldn’t imagine anything less from them. They probably twisted magic to make their lives better and easier while making it sap the life from everyone else. What if Mr. Gregor and the others like him were working on something that would make magic more tolerable for everyone? It would allow Henry to live again. I hoped this was what they were going to do.
We stopped before long and I guessed we were at the barrier crossing. Each point that accessed the outside was heavily guarded. No one was allowed in or out without a thorough search of their carriage. “There’s a very short line, it’ll be our turn in no time, dear. Do try not to stress too much. They try to rile you up and see if there are any secrets you’re hiding before they let you leave,” he spoke quietly to me.
I clasped my hands in my lap. He had tried to calm me down, but my mind got worked up over how they would try to get me to say something I shouldn’t. There were a lot of things I knew that they shouldn’t know. I didn’t want to give Mr. Gregor away. Not if he could help Henry. If he could get rid of this stupid barrier, I didn’t want to endanger him.
We took our sweet time getting to the guards and my stomach was in knots by the time our turn rolled around. Two guards were upfront chatting to Mr. Gregor. I saw one of them grab the reins and Mr. Gregor stepped down. Someone knocked on the door. “Miss?” a male asked, “If it isn’t too much of a bother, would you mind stepping out for a moment? We just have a few questions for you before we send you on your way.”
“Of course, sir. I don’t mind at all,” I stated, proud my voice only shook a little.
The door opened and a hand was offered up to help me down. I accepted it gratefully. I wasn’t sure if my knees would have supported my knees without assistance. The guard dropped my hand as soon as both feet were on the ground and moved back to stand with two others.
They looked pretty formidable standing all in a line. I took a deep breath and told myself there was nothing to worry about. I was just a merchant’s daughter. We were going to pick up supplies from a nearby town. We’d be back in a couple of days. We’d stay on the path and only travel during the daylight.
“What is your name, miss?” a guard asked.
I took it he was the one in charge of questioning everyone. He stood apart from the others and had a very commanding air about him. He was rather large and I didn’t doubt he’d be a very difficult opponent. His eyes were dark and sharp, and I wondered if he could see Olivia Walker beneath the pretty layers of Annabelle Williams.
“Annabelle, sir,” I replied.
I tried not to fidget under his gaze. I didn’t do so well when people were staring at me if there was something odd about me. I usually went unnoticed and all this sudden attention didn’t sit too well with me.
“And your last name?”
“Williams, sir.”
“What purpose do you have outside of the city?”
“Travelling with my father, sir. I wanted to see some other towns and he offered to let me go along with him.”
“What of your mother?”
“I lost her when I was young, sir.” I swallowed. I hoped that was what happened. Mr. Gregor hadn’t told me too much and I wished he had given me a little more to work with. He had to have known they’d question us pretty well.
The guard nodded. “Very well, you may return to the carriage, miss.”
He turned away from me and looked at Mr. Gregor. It seemed as if I were dismissed and I headed back to the carriage. The guard who had helped me out earlier, was back at my side to open the door and help me in. “Have a safe journey, miss. Be mindful of the creatures out there.”
I looked at him and my eyes caught his. I drew in a sharp breath at the sight of his blue eyes. There was more to him that met the eye and I wondered if he was a spy for Mr. Gregor’s cause. I wasn’t sure why I felt this way, but there was something different about him. He didn’t have the blind faith in the Royals like most others did.
He turned his head away and the spell was broken. I muttered and thanks and settled back into my seat. My heart was still beating on the fast side when Mr. Gregor swung up into the driver’s seat again and we were allowed through the barrier.
As we passed through, I felt like I was swimming in gelatin. It was thick and hard to breathe and I was certain we weren’t going to make it in time for me to grab another breath. I was starting to panic when it all gave way to air so refreshing I was certain I had passed out and was dreaming this.
There was no tug of magic as it stole the life from me. There wasn’t anything thick or wrong about this air. It was pure, laced with a magic that felt like happiness to me. I couldn’t help laughing.
Mr. Gregor didn’t say anything, but I could tell by the set of his shoulders he was enjoying the change as well. It wasn’t until we were a good distance away from the city that he said anything at all to me. I hadn’t minded the silence. It was a nice chance to get acquainted with my new surroundings.
“Well, what do you think? Pretty nifty, isn’t it?” he asked. I could hear the smile in his voice and couldn’t help the one that spread over my face as well.
“It’s downright amazing. I can’t believe air can be like this. How’d they get magic to be so suffocating?”
“They do some dark stuff with magic. Their mages twist it until you can hardly recognize it. We’re trying to find a way to counteract it. If we can make magic like it is out here, we could all live better. Of course, it’s going to take time and a lot of people, but we’ll do it. If not in my lifetime, at the very least in yours,” he stated.
I couldn’t think of anything else to ask and we fell into silence. We travelled for quite a while. The sun shifted from the East and moved towards the West. I started to nod off when we came to a stop. “We’re here, love,” he said as he opened the door.
I stepped outside and immediately sunk into the softest ground I’d ever walked on. The fine grains of sand pooled around my feet as I stared at my surroundings. The horizon I had only ever dreamed about was right in front of me. A few giant gears stood guard over the quiet little camp. There was a fine shimmer to the air and I knew there must be an illusion spell.
The sun was just about set, but the air was so much clearer out here. There wasn’t the heavy magic sitting in the air. Sand stretched out as far as the eye could see. Little oases of grass and water speckled the landscape. If it wasn’t for the leftovers from airships littering the ground, it would have been impossible to realize this was where a majority of the Wars were fought. The sand was no longer charred and all the spilled blood had slipped beneath the surface.
I realized there would probably be another war soon. I might even be a part of it. A shiver ran down my back. I wanted change, but at what cost would it come? I felt too young to have to deal with all of this; then I thought of my brother, who was too young to be so weak. If my actions could give him a life where he was free to act his age, I would give my life for him.
Mr. Gregor reappeared at my side with our bags. “Shall we go meet everyone?” he asked as he handed me my backpack.
I nodded. If we didn’t meet people soon, I was only going to be fit to fall asleep. We’d been travelling nearly all day. He led the way and we found a handful of people gathered before a large fire. They stood as we approached. “It’s good to see you again, Alex,” they greeted as they shook his hands.
Once they finished, they turned to me. “Who is this?” one asked.
“This is Olivia. I’ve brought her out here to learn some techniques,” he stated as he pushed me towards them.
I wasn’t used to meeting new people. I didn’t know if I should bow or shake their hands. I settled for a curtsy and returned to Mr. Gregor’s side.
“Can we trust her?” the same man asked.
Mr. Gregor nodded. “She lost her parents to the war. Her brother, Henry, is especially susceptible to magic. She looks after him. She’s been working for me for some time now.”
I bit my lip. What if he had brought me all the way out here and they refused to teach me anything? If they thought I might run and tell the Royals, would they leave me out there to fend for myself? I wasn’t sure why I was so worried. I didn’t think Mr. Gregor would let them do that, but they were kind of frightening. I had dealt with enough today without being in a hostile camp. Mr. Gregor squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.
“These men may look intimidating, but they’re pretty nice. The tall, lanky one is Randy. Scott’s the leader out here. He’s the one with blond hair and the swirled tattoo on his left arm. Steve is the dark haired one with glasses. I’m guessing Layla, Katie, and Renee are up at the house,” he said.
Everyone nodded as he said their names. I wasn’t sure I’d remember them all. “There doesn’t seem to be too many people here. Are there more in other areas?” I asked.
It seemed weird that a rebellion would only have seven people involved. If I were to take on the Royals, I’d make sure to have a whole legion of people. Even if I only had seven really good ones.
“This here is just our base camp. We’ve got people stationed everywhere. There are a few that have come to us from the Royal Guard. Most still live within the city and gather as much information as they can. When we all get together, we meet up in the Ravensdale. The guards are less suspicious when a travelling caravan comes in than when dozens of us leave,” Scott said.
That made sense. It would be hard to support so many people out here. With dedicated eyes on the inside they could be privy to information. They were just biding their time until the right opportunity arose.
“I imagine Olivia here is pretty tired. We’ll show you to your rooms. We can get started tomorrow,” Scott stated.
We followed him to a few tents set up near the back of the area. I was amazed at how large the place was. I wondered the degree of magic they used to keep it all hidden. There were so many intricate layers. I could just see them webbing into the sky. Scott stopped at a small tent. There was a lantern glowing from the inside. “Olivia will be staying here. Julia should be arriving shortly and will keep her company. William will be joining us for a few days, as well.”
I stepped inside and realized there were two small areas divided by a blanket. I placed my backpack on the cot in the smaller of the two. “We’ll see you tomorrow, then,” Mr. Gregor said.
“Good night,” I replied.
I waved as they left before sitting on the bed. It was awfully lonely without Henry around. He would have loved to take an adventure if his health was up to it. I thought about seeing if I could bring him next time I was out here. And wondered when I would see him again. I didn’t know how long all of this would take.
As I lay down, all I could think about were the lessons they would teach me. I wondered how much there was to learn about magic. I was giddy at the thought. Still, it wasn’t long before sleep claimed me. I slept soundly through the night, feeling as if I were ensconced in a heavenly warm blanket.
I awoke to the sounds of people milling about. Papa’s pocket-watch read 9am. I ran my fingers over the engraved surface, remembering how he was always so proud to let me tell the time on it. It had been in the family for generations. It was to go to Henry once he was old enough. I wasn’t sure if I could part with it when the time came.
I quickly got ready for the day and headed outside. Whoever was supposed to share the tent with me was already long gone. The sunshine filtered down through a thin veil of magic. Whatever dome we were under was much different from the heavy one placed over Ravensdale. Sparks of silver danced across the barrier. It was transparent enough to actually make out the crisp blue of the sky.
In Ravensdale, the barrier was thick and dark. It diluted the sunlight and blurred the world outside. Somedays, it felt like I was swimming through the air. It was refreshing out here. I wanted to stay out here forever.
I inhaled deeply and felt the magic in the air. It didn’t steal my breath, though. It tickled my throat and I laughed. I already loved it out here. I wished Ravensdale could be like this.
“Ah, good to see you are awake,” Mr. Gregor greeted as he approached me.
He was carrying an armload of items, some of which looked like they might be magic related. I wondered if they were for my lessons or merely moving stock around. “You can follow me and we’ll start with breakfast before showing you around.”
I nodded and followed him. He dropped his supplies near the door of the tent before heading in. Everything was bare minimum for decoration. Like the other tents, this one was also yellow. A few tables were lined up inside. A buffet of breads, eggs, and meat sat to one side. Some people were already seated, eating and talking amongst themselves.
I grabbed a plate and filled my plate before taking a seat at an empty table. Mr. Gregor joined me at my table. He wasn’t too talkative. My mind was whirling too fast to think of where to start. We were finished eating before I realized it. I cleared my dishes and waited for where we were headed next.
Scott came up to his and shook hands with Mr. Gregor again. “It’s damn good to see you back here, Alex. We’ve made some decent headway. Not sure if we’ll be ready by year’s end, but we’re getting closer. We’ll need your input on some of it.”
Mr. Gregor nodded. “Once we get Olivia settled in, I’d be more than happy to take a look.”
And so we were off. I was surprised by the size of the camp. Aside from a glistening in the distance, you couldn’t even see this from outside. There was an infirmary to the north, tents to the west, the meeting room/mess hall was in the center, with training areas to the east. In the south, they held their weapons.
More people had arrived overnight. There were probably thirty of us now. Some were around my age, but most seemed to be thirty or older. Mr. Gregor was one of the oldest people in the camp.
After the tour, Mr. Gregor left me in the hands of Amelia. She was a nice woman, kind and patient. She answered my questions about the camp and magic. She knew a great deal about magic. I had hoped she was my teacher, but her skills seemed to lie in healing. She tried to teach me a few spells, but I didn’t have any luck with them.
When it was time for lunch, she had a picnic basket brought over for us. She took me to the training grounds and we watched some of the students here practicing hand-to-hand combat. They weaved magic in with their movement. There were explosive hits and forceful blocks. It was like watching a match with fireworks.
Amelia had a noted interest when I commented on it, but I didn’t think much of it. I was too focused on watching the way they moved. It was amazing. I hoped I could learn to do that one day.
The day passed rather quickly. Everyone gathered around the fire pit for dinner. More rounds of introductions were made. I was sure I’d learn everyone’s name eventually, but it would take a while. I never had been good with names. I was better with faces.
Sleep came easily for me that night. I didn’t worry too much about Henry. Instead, I dreamed of helping to erase the barrier so he could live again. It was my personal mission to become strong enough to protect him from all the bad. It might take a while, but I would do it for him.
The next day, I was to begin my lessons. Layla and Steve began a basic course on the basics of magic. I knew it was important to learn all of this, but it bored me to pieces. Still, I tried to write down as much as I thought would be important.
I was the only new recruit. As such, I was the only one really receiving magic history lessons. This went on for three weeks before I finally got to try my hand at simple spells. Let me tell you, I wished I was back in the classroom.
I didn’t’ have an adept hand at performing magic. Anything that sparked to life from my fingers, fizzled in the air before it even had a chance to become something. Everyone thought I was a dud. I wondered if Mr. Gregor thought it was a mistake to bring me out here.
Then, just as I was ready to give up and return to my boring life in Ravensdale, I found my niche: void magic. I could see through any spell. If I touched them, spells would slowly unravel. This was a rare gift. Most could learn basic elemental spells, but void magic was different. It was about counter attacks and cancellation. I would never be able to cast illusion like Mr. Gregor or practice healing arts like Amelia, but I could stop an enemy’s spell from causing too much damage.
There was another like me in the camp. His name was William. He had been the soldier we met at the gate. I wondered how he managed to form an illusion. He certainly wasn’t raven haired. However, those eyes were the same I met at the border.
He didn’t treat me like he recognized me. He hardly paid any attention to me in the first few months I was there. It wasn’t until they were able to name my magic that he even acknowledged me. I wasn’t entirely certain he was doing it out of interest. Perhaps he was only doing what was expected of him.
He was much more serious than I would have pegged him for. His eyes were always intense, focused. I could see him drawing magic from the air around us and bending it to his desires. Not only could he void magic, he could manipulate it with the best of them. There were hopes that I could do the same one day. I wasn’t sure I could.
The next six months were a blur of hand-to-hand training mixed with lessons from William. He was a master of his art and only a few years older than me. I was curious to know how long he had been practicing. He wasn’t keen on making conversation. He didn’t speak to me unless he had to. Once lessons were over, he’d retreat back to his tent or find others to spend his time with.
Marissa seemed fond of him. She’d give sparkly little laughs and hang on his every word. He didn’t mind the attention from her. I was jealous. I didn’t understand why. He hardly gave me more than a passing thought. Still, it was like there was a knife twisting in my gut everytime I saw them together. I learned to avoid both of them, when I could.
Time was passing quicker than I realized. The seasons were beginning to change. I grew eager to contact my brother. Mr. Gregor wasn’t sure it was possible. We didn’t even know the names of the people he was staying with. It drove me nuts to not have any word.
Then, a traveling caravan came with supplies for us. They were here to restock our food and equipment. And they brought word of Henry. I spent nearly all my free time talking to them. One of the merchants lived in the colony where my brother was stationed. I was relieved to know he was doing well. He was thriving without the barrier taking his life. He was growing his strength in hopes of one day becoming a traveling merchant himself.
Before they left, I wrote a lengthy letter to my brother. I poured my heart into it, detailing my adventures with magic. Micah took it and promised to deliver it to Henry. It would be a while before they were back again, but he would try to have word sent back to me as soon as it was feasible.
I waited impatiently for the letter to arrive. It would be another two months before a hawk stopped by our camp. It delivered news from other camps as well as a letter from my brother. I quickly devoured the letter, glad to see his penmanship improving.
He was doing well. He could play with the other kids most days. He was still regaining his strength, but he had made great headway. The man he was staying with let him ride the horses. He helped out on the farm, when he could. He wished to see me again, but understood it might be difficult.
By the end of his letter, my eyes were wet. I longed to see my brother again. I spent the rest of the day in my tent and no one seemed too eager to retrieve me.
It wasn’t until supper that I learned the reason why. The Royals had found a small cell of rebels and eliminated all of them. They were sending out a warning to all the others who tried to disobey them. They were closing in on a few other camps. The time to act was drawing near.
I wasn’t ready. I knew there was still a lot I had to learn before I could become useful enough to do anything. I couldn’t ward off offensive attacks. My defensive skills were lacking. Sure I could see through illusions and grasp the strings of spells. It was all pointless without the ability to counterattack.
I approached training differently from that day on. I was more focused and devoted. If I could help Henry and I return to Ravensdale, I would. There wasn’t anything that could get in my way. I think even William was impressed with my dedication.
Two more months had passed and finally I was seeing the results I wanted. I could catch a spell, unravel it, and recast it as something terrifying. It worried me that my magic cast vicious nets that trapped people within them. Still, I learned to control them. I was able to cancel the magic before it did any harm. Still, I would always remember how I had caught Marissa in the net.
It was the first time I had been able to do it. Strings of silver rearranged themselves in the air and settled over her. She screamed in pain as it spread across her skin. Marks seared into her flesh. I could only stare in horror. William had stepped in and dissipated the magic. He’d carried her to the infirmary as I watched.
Despite Amelia’s magic, Marissa still bore the scars from my attack. She’d forgiven me, but I couldn’t forgive myself. I vowed to practice until I could control my magic. I tested it on inanimate objects. Long after everyone else went to bed, I was still up. I wouldn’t do that again. I’d be the one commanding magic.
Shaking my head, I focused once again on the task at hand. Unwind illusions, dispel the magic. Break disguises without having to touch someone. Learn to make my spells quicker, sharper. William ensured there would be no more mistakes. He didn’t let me practice breaking spells on anyone but him. My magic died before even landing on him.
He pushed me harder than I thought I could work. Sometimes, I’d catch him watching me at night. He never offered any advice or made any mention of it. He merely expected me to perform better. I didn’t get any breaks for missing sleep.
After a month of training like this, it finally caught up with me. I went to draw magic, but nothing happened. Then I was falling and the world went black.
When I woke up, it was dark outside. Confusion tinged my memory. I couldn’t recall all that had happened. What I did know was I wasn’t in my tent. The smells of antiseptic and lemon led me to believe I was in the infirmary. This was confirmed a short while later when Amelia popped her head in.
“It’s good to see you awake,” she said as she came over. She had on her motherly smile and I relaxed a little. She touched a hand to my forehead and I felt a whisper of her magic. It was cool and calming, even if it dissipated as soon as it touched me.
I wondered if I would ever be able to accept magic like William did. He was a master Void wielder, twisting and manipulating magic to do his bidding. Magic was often cancelled in his presence, but he could make it stick. He could carry illusion and be healed with magic.
“Do you remember what happened?” she asked me, drawing me from my thoughts.
I frowned at her. I didn’t like feeling like a little kid, but I guessed I deserved some of it. “Well, I was outside practicing magic and, I guess I just fainted.”
Amelia nodded. “Try to take it easy for a few days, okay? And no more midnight sessions. You have enough practice without skipping sleep. There should be a small meal for you in your tent.”
I mumbled my thanks and headed out. It was hard to accept that I couldn’t push myself as hard. All I wanted was for this stupid tension to be over. I wanted to see my brother again. I wanted to live without the suffocating barrier. I knew magic was the only way that I could see it through. I just had to accept it would take time.
Another year would pass before things had grown to their tipping point. I was stronger, now. I could manipulate magic as well as William. I still couldn’t convince magic to allow me to use illusion. Most things people cast on me were instantly dispelled. Only powerful attacks had any effect on me. Marissa’s fire magic had proven that I was not immune to all magic. I’ll wear those scars for the rest of my life. It made us even.
There had been talk for months that war was coming. I was caught up in the middle of it. I would do my best, but even then I knew I wouldn’t be prepared. Everyone was acting different. People were finalizing the details. The Royals were coming for us. If we didn’t act first, they would win.
I stood on the Eastern edge of the barrier. Flames glowed in the distance. It wouldn’t be long before they were here. Their lights cast shadows across the gears lining the horizon. We might not have technology, but we had magic. More magic than they knew we had. Change was coming. I just hoped it wasn’t as devastating as the last war.
Author: Mellie
Artist: dragon_gypsy
Mixer: dragon_gypsy
Fandom or Original: Original
Type: General
Word Count: 11,153
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairings: Olivia, Mr. Gregor
Warnings None
Summary: After the sky war, the Royals took command of magic and twisted it into a barrier that kept its people subservient. Olivia has been trying to deal with everything life has given her, when she stumbles across something she shouldn't. However, she soon finds out that there is much more to magic than she ever thought possible.
Link to art/mix master post: Gears and Wheels
The aftermath of the Sky War left pretty much everywhere desolate. Giant gears from war machines stuck out from the ground like somber statues. The atmosphere was finally clear of the constant airship militia. Still, it was hard not to keep an eye on the sky and worry that another stray missile might be coming for you. They already had destroyed several cities. Casualties of war, they called it. Marked it off as unfortunate incident and moved on to other matters. Like how much to pay themselves now that they finally usurped our last king.
I was personally fully against kings. They all ruined our world. Instead of letting our society progress, they suffocated us with overbearing magic that sucked the life right out of us. It kept electricity dampened and made the citizens a little bit more “agreeable” as they deemed it. We were hardly able to live to forty anymore. A few were lucky enough to be able to repel magic, but most of us were weak and dying.
It was hard to watch your younger brother- barely ten- unable to keep his eyes open for more than an hour or two. Magic loved him, pulled his life right from his blood. I felt helpless as he looked up at me with tired eyes. We’d lost our parents to the War and I was losing my brother to the damn magic they saturated the air with.
I could feel it stealing my breath every time I inhaled. Magic helped itself to what it wished, giving precious little in return. It used us until there was nothing left to use and moved on to the next target. It didn’t seem to care that we were going backwards instead of forwards. Our rulers didn’t mind too much, either. Whenever someone got the nerve up to talk to them, we could feel the magic raise a little more. Wouldn’t be long before we were all dead.
I heard distant rumblings of a revolt. The rich were protected by a magical shield. They could benefit from magic while the rest of us suffered outside the Royal Gates. The gates were some of the few things still standing after the war. I didn’t doubt there was enough magic in there to kill us all if it was redirected.
Shaking my head, I cleared my mind of errant thoughts. It wouldn’t do me any good to go all philosophical while I was trying to keep my brother and me as afloat as best as I could. I had a crummy job doing boring deliveries that paid pennies. It was better than nothing. I could afford a loaf of bread and an apple for dinner. Maybe I could even pick up a chocolate for Henry.
I smiled. I couldn’t spoil my brother like I wanted to, but I could afford the rare indulgence. Chocolates had always been his favorite treat. They were rare and expensive to come by, but I could occasionally save up and purchase one.
Only a few more hours and I could return to the little room I shared with my brother. A kind lady had graciously allowed us to stay in her home as long as we helped with the cleaning. Henry was hardly well enough to do much, so I was left with the brunt of the work. I didn’t mind. It gave me something else to think about aside from the misery we seemed to be living in.
Not watching where I was going, I ran into a distinguished looking gentleman. I muttered my apologies, but kept my eye on him as he walked away. He didn’t seem to be in a particular hurry, but he was greatly out of place. No one in this part of town could dress like he did.
He had on a sharp suit that probably cost more than most people earned in a year. It was nicely tailored with the pinstripes one hardly noticed. My father had owned one that had been passed down through the generations. It had been showing its age, but he was still proud of it. He used to drape it on Henry and state what a fine young man he would grow up to be.
That was lifetimes ago. Before the war raged on and took my parents and my home.
“Olivia!” someone shouted up ahead.
It pulled me out of fond memories and threw me back onto the busy market street. I turned around and saw Mr. Gregor waiting impatiently in the doorway of his shop. He’d been expecting me to deliver some goods to a client and I was probably running late. Sighing, I straightened up and tried to gather my wayward thoughts.
“Sorry, Mr. Gregor. Hope I’m not too late. What do you have for me to deliver today?”
He looked down at me in a mix of pity and annoyance. I didn’t blame him. I had a bad habit of running late and most everyone knew my situation. Magic stole from us all, but it hit Henry particularly hard. I did my best for him, but even then I didn’t know how much longer he could hold out.
“It’s fine, Olivia. Come in back. I just have a few boxes for Hamilton’s shop a few streets down,” he said as he led me into the storage room.
The back was filled with various items that didn’t fit or belong out front. Mr. Gregor specialized in old world crafts. Some of them looked like they had been on the cusp of some cutting edge technology or the other but had been sapped dry when the magic flared up.
I was disappointed to discover that the boxes had already been taped up. There was no way I’d be able to take a peek and see what Mr. Hamilton was getting now. If Mr. Gregor dealt in antiques, Mr. Hamilton dealt in the bizarre. There was always the odd piece of equipment that could whir to life in his shop.
Some people gossiped that he created a minor shield that could temporarily keep the objects alive with electricity. After all, that fetching toy spinning by itself in the window always seemed to be a dud once it returned home. It was probably why he had a strict no return policy. And why he’d received the odd death threat here and there.
I gathered the boxes in my arms and promised to be right on my way. It was harder to dilly dally with my hands full. I guessed it wasn’t feathers I was delivering. I’d be a mite sore come morning. I could hardly see over the boxes and had to keep looking around them to make sure I wasn’t going to run into anybody. I hoped they’d see me first but you could never be too sure.
I turned left down St. Martin Street and paused to readjust the boxes. I really needed to invest in a bike. Or find a different job. I laughed merrily at that. Neither was a remote possibility at this time.
The last hundred feet seemed like a mile, but I finally came up to Hamilton’s Miscellaneous and Sundried Specialties Shop. It always seemed to be an isolated little place on the outskirts of the marketplace. There was a different feel to the air here. It was a little less suffocating and held some sort of charge.
Entering the shop, I called to Mr. Hamilton. “Hello? I’m here with some items from Mr. Gregor. Anyone here?” I asked as I set the boxes on the front counter.
I flexed my fingers a few times to get the circulation going. As I waited, I let my gaze sweep across the room. It was hard to not gawk at all the items filling the shop. It almost seemed like there were more items than room. Gadgets from times past came to life in peculiar ways and I wondered if it was magic or technology at work. They were similar enough in my limited experience.
No one had come out to greet me and I found it odd. I wasn’t running that far behind. I had come straight over from Mr. Gregor’s shop. The boxes were cumbersome, but they hadn’t slowed me down too much. “Hello?” I called again.
Silence greeted me. Something was off, but I couldn’t place my finger on just what it was. I peeked into the room behind the counter, but no one was there to shoo me away. I walked into the back, expecting to see someone rushing out to greet me. It was empty in back as it had been out front.
I kept wandering around the back, thinking I had to run into someone at some point. They wouldn’t just leave their shop unattended, would they? We hadn’t had any trouble with the Royal Police Force lately. No one had been mumbling about confiscated goods or raids on stores since the War.
The longer I looked around, the more I began to wonder how they had a shop that was larger in the back than out front. They could have used with some remodeling to create more room for all the stuff they had. It seemed like forever before I reached the back door. I was going to have a quick peek outside before heading back to Mr. Gregor’s with the boxes. He wouldn’t be too keen on me just leaving everything behind.
I swung my head around the heavy wooden door and frowned. Didn’t look like anyone was out here, either. I stepped outside and was greeted by a sharp, coppery tang. I wrinkled my nose and turned to go back inside when I saw him. I sucked in a breath of air. Mr. Hamilton was slumped against the building, red covering him from his neck down. A gruesome line was cut across his neck. I could practically see his spine.
Trying not to scream and attract whoever had done this to him, I ducked back inside and bolted for the front door. Screw whatever was in the boxes. It wasn’t as important as reporting this to someone.
I don’t know why I didn’t go to the police. It seemed right to return to Mr. Gregor and fill him in on what happened first. He could tell me what to do. I flew down the street faster than I ever had and reached his shop in record time. I told him my story between gasping breaths. He nodded a few times and paled by the time I finished.
“What should I do, Mr. Gregor?” I asked.
He placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly as he led me to the door. “Never you mind, Olivia. I’ll take care of it. Get back to your brother. And take some time off. Clear your head. I’ll contact you in a few days,” he stated with a voice that trembled ever so slightly.
It had to come as a shock. They’d been friends for years. He didn’t seem to want to believe it any more than I had. Henry’s chocolate was forgotten as I returned home. Mr. Gregor hadn’t remembered to pay me for that day and I didn’t even have a loaf of bread to share for dinner. I was glad I had a little saved up to buy two eggs from Mrs. Gentry.
I was so absorbed in the events of the day that I was dreadful company for poor Henry. He kissed my cheek as he went to bed. It didn’t take him long to fall asleep. I was rather jealous. I knew sleep would not be coming any time soon.
Every time I closed my eyes, I only saw Mr. Hamilton against the building covered in blood. I tried to will the image away, but it seemed burned to my eyelids. I’m not sure when I finally fell asleep, but I woke to Henry shaking my shoulder.
“Aren’t you going to be late for work, Livy?” he asked as I blinked at him sleepily.
With a gasp, I sat up and began looking for my clothes. I was rushing around the room when it all came back in a horrifying rush. I was frozen for a few moments before my mind came back to me.
“No, not today. Mr. Gregor was kind enough to give me the day off. Fancy going out?” I inquired.
I hoped he wanted to go out of the cupboard for a few hours. I couldn’t stand being stuck inside all day with little to think about but poor Mr. Hamilton and who could have done such a thing. I waited impatiently for his answer.
“Yes,” he stated, “I do feel well enough to go out today. Where were you thinking?”
Relief flowed over me. “How about the park? It isn’t too far from here. We could take some of our leftover bread and feed the ducks and people watch.”
He smiled at the thought. It wasn’t often we had the chance to just feel like children again. We strolled to the park, the sun shining brightly. It was a beautiful day and cleared my head of any stray dark thought. We watched people wandering through the park until Henry grew tired.
The last time we did this was before the War came and stole away our parents. It was nice to not have to worry about where we’d get our next meal from. As we rounded a corner, we saw a poor dog scared off his meal by nothing more than a mere kitten. We shared a merry laugh.
When we came upon the house, I was startled to see two men at the door with Mrs. Gentry. They were in uniform but something seemed off. I watched them question her as a knot of trepidation coiled in my stomach. They were probably there to ask me questions about Mr. Hamilton. Questions I knew I wouldn’t much like.
“Henry, let’s take a quick stroll to the market and see if we can find something cheap for lunch, okay?” I asked as I guided him away from our home.
He took notice of them as well. He needed a rest, but wasn’t fond of seeing what those men wanted. We spent the day wandering the market and sharing in a small muffin. I couldn’t afford anything more. It made me wish I could find a way to get us out of here and having a better life than this.
We didn’t return until after dark. Mrs. Gentry was relieved those men hadn’t spotted us. She led us to the table with some vegetable broth and crusty bread. “Eat up, children,” she instructed.
As we helped ourselves to a bowl of soup, she related what those men had wanted. “They were looking for you, Olivia. They said they had some questions about something you saw yesterday. They didn’t tell me what, exactly. I knew it wasn’t going to be good, though. They had those stern, hard faces that wouldn’t reveal anything. They didn’t seem on par if you ask me. What sort of trouble have you gotten yourself into, child?”
My stomach dropped like a rock. This wasn’t right at all. There wasn’t something more than just the murder of Mr. Hamilton. I hadn’t a clue what it could have been, though. I just knew we were probably going to have to make a run for it. It wasn’t safe here. We couldn’t impose on Mrs. Gentry like that. I’d see if Henry could stay with someone else while I figured it all out. He didn’t need to be dragged into all of this on account of me.
I didn’t have many options. There weren’t too many people I’d feel comfortable leaving Henry with. Or probably all that many willing to take him in on such short notice. I didn’t have the money to provide food for him and he could hardly earn it on his own. My mind reeled as I tried to go through everyone I could think of.
I almost wished the police hadn’t known where I lived. They could easily return and find Henry. If anything happened to him, I don’t know what I would do. I bit my lip. My options were few and far between. I wasn’t even sure half the people I knew could support another mouth.
“Dear?” Mrs. Gentry asked.
I looked at her for a moment before remembering she had asked a question. “Oh, I’m sorry. My mind is just elsewhere right now. I’m not in any trouble, Mrs. Gentry. I just saw something and I think they want to ask me a few questions. Although, I guess it might take some time and I was thinking of who I could leave Henry with while I was gone,” I replied.
She didn’t need to know that anything was amiss. The less she knew, the better. “I suppose I could arrange for him to stay with my son for a few days. My son should be able to care for him for a few days. And maybe some country air would do him good,” she offered.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was a lot better than I could arrange for him. It would still be pretty easy to find him if they really wanted, but I hoped they would focus on catching me. I prayed they wouldn’t use him as bait to lure me to them.
“That’d be wonderful, Mrs. Gentry. Are you sure it wouldn’t be too much of a bother?”
She smiled at me. Sometimes she was more like a grandmother than a landlady. I enjoyed her company. “Of course not. Matthew has a few children right around Henry’s age. He could have a nice vacation while you took care of this.”
“Thank you so much,” I said as I stood up to give her a hug.
She patted my cheek fondly. “I won’t tell a soul he’s out there. In case there is more going on than you realize,” she told me.
I tightened my arms around her one last time before I ran to our room to pack our bags. We didn’t own much more than a few changes of clothes and the random memento from home. I tucked a few coins into Henry’s satchel and left it on his bed. He couldn’t leave until the morning anyway.
I threw my mother’s half empty journal on top of my things and secured my backpack. I took one last look around the room I’d shared with my brother for the past year before I turned away. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be seeing it again.
Seeing my jacket and bag, Henry uttered a cry of protest. “You aren’t leaving tonight, are you Livy? Won’t you see me off tomorrow morning?”
I wrapped my arms around his shoulders and placed a kiss on his head. “I’m sorry, Henry. I need to leave tonight. I’ll contact you as soon as I’m able, okay?”
He nodded and I could feel him holding back his tears. “We’ll be alright, Henry, don’t you worry.” I wasn’t sure if I was telling him or myself that.
I gave Mrs. Gentry one final hug before I slipped out of the house and into the night. I’d been on my own for the past year, but it still felt rather surreal. Add on some rather suspicious police officers, and it was downright confusing.
The first place I decided to look was Mr. Gregor’s shop. It was after hours, but he lived in a flat above his store. Maybe he would have some answers for me. I sure hoped he did. I hadn’t a clue of where to start.
The lights were all out but I rang his doorbell anyway. I was probably going to wake him up. I didn’t really care at this point. He knew more than he had let on. I was sure of it.
There wasn’t any answer, even after I rang the bell again. It echoed merrily through his house, but there weren’t any footsteps or muttered curses. I frowned and started down the street again.
The marketplace was a different place entirely after dark. Candlelight danced out of a few open doorways; none of which I’d call respectable in the least. Bawdy laughter came from a few saloons and I guessed that a few patrons had more than their fair share of alcohol. I blushed as I passed an open window and heard some rather intimate sounds.
Quickening my pace, I left that neighborhood behind. Of course, everywhere else seemed to lack any sort of light. I questioned my idea of running away and hiding. I didn’t know where to run or hide. I certainly hardly knew how to fend for myself while keeping to the shadows. A boring delivery job was about the most I was capable of.
I held on to my backpack straps as I continued walking. If I didn’t have a destination in mind, I still had to make the journey. I stared at the ground, thoughts of everything running circles in my head. I was starting to build up too much hype.
I nearly screamed when a door opened. Upon seeing Mr. Gregor, I calmed considerably. I was wound a lot tighter than I thought I had been.
He stared at me for a few seconds as if he didn’t recognize me. His eyes flickered and he nodded grimly at me. “Hello, Olivia. What are you doing out here?”
“I came to see you,” I replied, not quite sure how to ask him about everything without being completely awkward.
I was thinking a little too hard and didn’t realize how long he must have been waiting for my answer. “Is this about earlier?” he asked, his tone a bit hesitant.
I looked up at him and tried to gauge his face. There weren’t too many emotions on there. Just seemed rather somber. “Ah, well, you see the police came to see me tonight. I don’t know why, but it just didn’t seem right. I…I just came to ask if you might know why,” I rambled.
He frowned, staring at me for a minute or what seemed like forever. With a sweeping glance up and down the street, he ushered me inside. “I was hoping you wouldn’t be caught up in the middle of this. Have a seat. Would you like something to drink?”
I shook my head. I was too curious about what was going on to focus on drinking something. He sat across from me, looking older and more tired than I had ever see him before. “How much do you know about magic itself?” he asked after a while.
I looked at him oddly. I knew next to nothing about it. No one really did. It was older than most of us and the common folk hardly had any access to books on it. We only knew that magic was in the air, it was killing us, and the Royal Family controlled it. It was odd that it was everywhere and no one knew anything about it.
“Hardly anything at all. Nothing more than everyone else, that’s for certain.”
He sighed and placed his fingers against his eyes. Someone brought him a mug of beer, which he seemed to readily accept. “Well, there are some people who know a lot more about magic. Knowledge the Royal Elite would rather us not know. I’m one of them. Mr. Hamilton was one of them. I won’t tell you any other names, but there are a good handful of them around town. There are more in other villages. It seems as if the Royal Elite has gotten wind of what some people are planning on doing and they aren’t too fond of it. They started to rebel.
“Knowing they probably had a hand in his death, I took care of Mr. Hamilton myself. I didn’t go to the police. How they learned you were there, I haven’t a clue. I’m sorry that you’re caught up in all of this. I guess I can arrange with a few friends or something and you can hide out until things cool down.”
I stared at him in disbelief. He knew about Magic. Maybe he knew how to cure my brother. Hope rose in my chest. “Do you know how to make Henry better? Is there any way to stop magic from trying to kill him so quickly?”
He shook his head. “I’m afraid that as long as he lives within the city, there isn’t a way. Not with the magical barrier, at least. Outside the city, it’s different. Magic’s nicer. It isn’t trying to suffocate you.”
My heart sank. There was no way I could support my brother and I outside of the city. We were lucky to scrape by within the city. I knew there were people who lived outside the city, but they had to face whatever monsters lived out there. The one good thing about our living within our magic bubble was the protection it offered. Many beasts couldn’t withstand the power it exuded. They kept a wide berth. The only danger we faced was being crushed by the magic bubble. Lucky us.
He placed a coin on the table to pay for our drinks and stood up. “Stay here, Olivia. I’ll be back in a little while to let you know where you will be going.”
I sighed as I watched him leave. I would be stuck out in the middle of nowhere with no way to contact my brother. I hoped that whatever was going on now would be resolved quickly. I couldn’t stand to be doing absolutely nothing.
I picked up his coin and started to play with it while I waited. Our barmaid was probably waiting for it; I didn’t much care. I needed something to keep my hands busy or I’d burst. I was never all that good at waiting. Although, time always seemed to go the opposite of what I wanted it to. If I was in a hurry, it was going faster than I could keep up; if I was waiting, it crawled by slower than a snail. Perhaps that was what it was like for everyone, though.
I felt a tingle spreading across my knuckles as I rolled the coin between my fingertips. It was warm and radiating outwards. There were sharp pangs as it travelled to my wrists. I stopped playing with the coin and stared at my hand.
Almost instantly, it cooled off. The tingling stopped and there were no odd, lingering sensations. I moved the coin again and sudden warmth flooded my fingers. There was something off about this coin. I brought it closer and examined it. It looked like an ordinary five piece. There was some tarnish to it. That was hardly unusual considering the coin was fifteen years old.
I turned it over and the coin seemed to have two appearances. There was another something underneath the top layer. It almost looked like an ordinary one piece. I flipped it back again and the image seemed to shift a little bit more slowly than the coin. I stared at it, perplexed.
I was still studying the coin when Mr. Gregor returned with some of his friends. “Oh, Mr. Gregor,” I started, “Your five piece seems to be doing something odd. It almost looks like there’s a one piece underneath it.”
Our barmaid, who had been hovering the whole time, cast a sharp look at Mr. Gregor. “Are you trying to cheat me William?”
A blush spread over his cheeks. “No, no, of course not Henrietta. Must have just grabbed the wrong thing. Here you are. Keep the change, love,” he told her.
He threw a new coin at her and dragged me out of the little bar. He pulled me into the alley way and turned me to face him. “You could see that, Olivia? You could see the one piece under the illusion?”
“Illusion?” I asked him.
“The thing that made it look like a five piece. You could see both?”
“Of course I could. It was rather obvious, Mr. Gregor.”
He stared at me good and long. I fidgeted under his gaze. Whatever he was looking for, I wasn’t sure I wanted to have it. He looked so eager and hopeful. I was a little bit worried.
“Instead of just laying low in some basement, how would you like to join me in the frontier? There are people there who could train you to use magic. Would you like that, Olivia?”
I stared at him blankly. I hadn’t been expecting that. I didn’t know one could actually wield magic until just a little while ago. “Well, are you sure I can do it?”
He laughed at that. I was glad he found me funny, because I just found this whole situation to be confusing. “Very sure of it, my dear,” he said as he placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “So, what do you say? Do you want to learn?”
I didn’t have to think very hard about that at all. “Of course I do. If you think I can do it, I’m more than ready to learn.”
He grinned at me. With a happy shove to my shoulder, he called to his friends that I’d be staying with him and he started walking down the alley. I was too overwhelmed by the day to think of any conversation and Mr. Gregor didn’t seem to have any more to say. I was glad it wasn’t too long of a walk or I’d probably have started babbling on about some inane thing and he’d think I was daft.
He led into the house and gave me a brief tour, finally stopping at a small bedroom. “Here’s where you’ll be staying, love. Sleep well. And I do hope you’ve said your goodbyes. Tomorrow we leave by dawn.” He smiled as he shut the door.
It was weird to have an entire room to myself. Even when my parents had been alive, I had shared with my brother. We were too young to want to have our own space. It seemed to be a lot for just one person.
I got ready for bed and slipped between covers that felt like silk. I lay awake for some time wondering how my brother was doing. Hopefully he was able to stay with Mrs. Gentry’s brother. We’d never been apart for too long before. Certainly not more than a few hours since we lost our parents. I didn’t like the thought of not knowing what was going on with him, but I had to trust he would be okay. Until whatever was going on with Mr. Gregor and Mr. Hamilton was cleared up, I didn’t think it would be safe for us to be together.
Sleep came slowly, but it was morning before I knew it. Hazy sun filtered in through the windows and I could hear the town starting to wake up. With a groan, I sat up and gathered my thoughts. Was it really only yesterday morning everything had been so normal?
“Are you up yet, Olivia?” Mr. Gregor asked with a sharp knock on my door.
“Yes, Mr. Gregor. I’ll be ready to go shortly,” I replied.
I knew business people had to be up early to prepare for the day, but it always amazed me how ready people were in the mornings. The cobwebs barely were clear from my mind by ten, let alone eight. I moved a bit slowly as I changed my clothes and made myself presentable. I didn’t think I’d be allowed the luxury of a shower. We seemed to be in a hurry to make it out of town.
I grabbed my bag and headed out into the hall to find my host. He was at the kitchen table enjoying a mug of coffee. A platter of fruit and baked goods was pushed off to one side while papers were spread out in front of him, some of them looking to be quite old. He looked up as I walked through the doorway.
“Ah, Olivia. I’m just finishing up with some paperwork for the shop. Everything should be fine while we are gone. I imagine I can even hire you back on for a few deliveries when we return. That is if you can manage to make it on time, for once. Your sense of timing has always been a bit off,” he stated.
I blushed. It was inexplicable how I never could get somewhere when I was supposed to. I got distracted easily, but I could never quite peg it down. It was as if I existed in another time and space. I sighed. “I’ll do my best. You know that, Mr. Gregor.”
He smiled. “I know you do, Olivia. Why don’t you have a seat and grab a muffin?”
I did as he asked, taking a nice looking blueberry muffin. It tasted good enough, but there was a strange coppery aftertaste. I didn’t mention anything; I didn’t want to seem like an ungrateful guest. I was glad he was going out of his way to help me. Especially since this was a whole lot trickier than I knew how to deal with.
I finished eating just as he pushed all his papers into a waiting satchel. A few pages were bent in half, but he didn’t seem to mind at all. He caught my gaze as he finished. “No one but me looks at these. I shouldn’t mind too much if a few are out of shape.”
I smiled. Mr. Gregor really could make me feel better. He was almost like a father to me. He put the satchel to the side and muttered a few words. The bag disappeared into thin air. I almost asked what he had done to it when I caught a glimpse of it from the corner of my eye. It was the same as what he had done to the coin. Maybe I’d get the chance to learn how to do that while I was out in the border area.
He grabbed a coat and a cap and I was surprised to see his appearance drastically change once his hat was settled on his head. He handed me a fetching little hat and a hair pin. It was quite beautiful, but I had no idea how to wear it. I looked up at his in askance and he shook his head fondly. He attached it to my hair deftly. I wouldn’t have pegged him as the kind that was able to do so. I’d always assumed he had been a lifelong bachelor.
A wave of tingles ran from my head to my toes and I shivered. It was an odd but not unwelcomed sensation. Mr. Gregor frowned at me and I worried the hat wasn’t suited for me after all. “Well, love, it seems as if the charm on this hat wants to conceal you. We’ll have to dress you up in a costume and hope no one is looking too hard for a face like yours.”
I felt disappointed I wouldn’t have a magical disguise like him, but I was satisfied when he presented an arrangement of outfits for me to decide upon. “If you’re going to have to disguise yourself, you might as well pick something you enjoy. And be convincing at. No need for the guards to question what a street urchin is doing acting like a dainty lady, now.”
I hummed to myself as I sorted through the array of garments. There was everything from very nice gowns to tatters and rags. I chose a simple muslin frock with a bright orange ribbon around the middle. Mr. Gregor placed a matching hat on my head with a fashionable, wide brim. “You look pretty as a daisy. Now, let’s begin our journey, Annabelle.”
“Annabelle?” I asked in confusion.
“Certainly. I am Jonathon Williams and I run a simple clothing store and am going out of town to pick up a few new items. I’m bringing along my daughter for a small reprieve from magic,” he told me this story while presenting me with a pretty little locket.
I opened the clasp and was surprised to find a tiny photo of myself and him inside. I could tell magic was responsible for the image as it glimmered ever so slightly. I proudly put it around my neck and modeled it for Mr. Gregor’s approval. He nodded at me and we headed out to a waiting carriage.
It wasn’t as fancy as some of the royal ones that occasionally came through town. It was a simple white carriage with two chestnut horses. A man stood to the side holding the reins. He waited patiently while Mr. Gregor placed our bags in a back compartment. He helped me into the carriage and took a seat up front. I poked my head out and saw he gave the man a quick ten-note. The man bowed and headed up the street.
“Keep your head inside the carriage, Annabelle. We wouldn’t want your hat coming off your head, now,” he advised as he settled into his seat.
I did as I was told, a little down that I didn’t have a better view of outside. There was a small, oval window to the front of the carriage as well as one in the back. It made me dizzy to watch the road behind us and Mr. Gregor blocked most of the front one. I settled in, feeling the uneven dirt beneath us. I wondered if the cobblestone within the palace grounds was any smoother than what we had here.
Since the royalty all lived there, I surmised it was a lot nicer than what we had. I couldn’t imagine anything less from them. They probably twisted magic to make their lives better and easier while making it sap the life from everyone else. What if Mr. Gregor and the others like him were working on something that would make magic more tolerable for everyone? It would allow Henry to live again. I hoped this was what they were going to do.
We stopped before long and I guessed we were at the barrier crossing. Each point that accessed the outside was heavily guarded. No one was allowed in or out without a thorough search of their carriage. “There’s a very short line, it’ll be our turn in no time, dear. Do try not to stress too much. They try to rile you up and see if there are any secrets you’re hiding before they let you leave,” he spoke quietly to me.
I clasped my hands in my lap. He had tried to calm me down, but my mind got worked up over how they would try to get me to say something I shouldn’t. There were a lot of things I knew that they shouldn’t know. I didn’t want to give Mr. Gregor away. Not if he could help Henry. If he could get rid of this stupid barrier, I didn’t want to endanger him.
We took our sweet time getting to the guards and my stomach was in knots by the time our turn rolled around. Two guards were upfront chatting to Mr. Gregor. I saw one of them grab the reins and Mr. Gregor stepped down. Someone knocked on the door. “Miss?” a male asked, “If it isn’t too much of a bother, would you mind stepping out for a moment? We just have a few questions for you before we send you on your way.”
“Of course, sir. I don’t mind at all,” I stated, proud my voice only shook a little.
The door opened and a hand was offered up to help me down. I accepted it gratefully. I wasn’t sure if my knees would have supported my knees without assistance. The guard dropped my hand as soon as both feet were on the ground and moved back to stand with two others.
They looked pretty formidable standing all in a line. I took a deep breath and told myself there was nothing to worry about. I was just a merchant’s daughter. We were going to pick up supplies from a nearby town. We’d be back in a couple of days. We’d stay on the path and only travel during the daylight.
“What is your name, miss?” a guard asked.
I took it he was the one in charge of questioning everyone. He stood apart from the others and had a very commanding air about him. He was rather large and I didn’t doubt he’d be a very difficult opponent. His eyes were dark and sharp, and I wondered if he could see Olivia Walker beneath the pretty layers of Annabelle Williams.
“Annabelle, sir,” I replied.
I tried not to fidget under his gaze. I didn’t do so well when people were staring at me if there was something odd about me. I usually went unnoticed and all this sudden attention didn’t sit too well with me.
“And your last name?”
“Williams, sir.”
“What purpose do you have outside of the city?”
“Travelling with my father, sir. I wanted to see some other towns and he offered to let me go along with him.”
“What of your mother?”
“I lost her when I was young, sir.” I swallowed. I hoped that was what happened. Mr. Gregor hadn’t told me too much and I wished he had given me a little more to work with. He had to have known they’d question us pretty well.
The guard nodded. “Very well, you may return to the carriage, miss.”
He turned away from me and looked at Mr. Gregor. It seemed as if I were dismissed and I headed back to the carriage. The guard who had helped me out earlier, was back at my side to open the door and help me in. “Have a safe journey, miss. Be mindful of the creatures out there.”
I looked at him and my eyes caught his. I drew in a sharp breath at the sight of his blue eyes. There was more to him that met the eye and I wondered if he was a spy for Mr. Gregor’s cause. I wasn’t sure why I felt this way, but there was something different about him. He didn’t have the blind faith in the Royals like most others did.
He turned his head away and the spell was broken. I muttered and thanks and settled back into my seat. My heart was still beating on the fast side when Mr. Gregor swung up into the driver’s seat again and we were allowed through the barrier.
As we passed through, I felt like I was swimming in gelatin. It was thick and hard to breathe and I was certain we weren’t going to make it in time for me to grab another breath. I was starting to panic when it all gave way to air so refreshing I was certain I had passed out and was dreaming this.
There was no tug of magic as it stole the life from me. There wasn’t anything thick or wrong about this air. It was pure, laced with a magic that felt like happiness to me. I couldn’t help laughing.
Mr. Gregor didn’t say anything, but I could tell by the set of his shoulders he was enjoying the change as well. It wasn’t until we were a good distance away from the city that he said anything at all to me. I hadn’t minded the silence. It was a nice chance to get acquainted with my new surroundings.
“Well, what do you think? Pretty nifty, isn’t it?” he asked. I could hear the smile in his voice and couldn’t help the one that spread over my face as well.
“It’s downright amazing. I can’t believe air can be like this. How’d they get magic to be so suffocating?”
“They do some dark stuff with magic. Their mages twist it until you can hardly recognize it. We’re trying to find a way to counteract it. If we can make magic like it is out here, we could all live better. Of course, it’s going to take time and a lot of people, but we’ll do it. If not in my lifetime, at the very least in yours,” he stated.
I couldn’t think of anything else to ask and we fell into silence. We travelled for quite a while. The sun shifted from the East and moved towards the West. I started to nod off when we came to a stop. “We’re here, love,” he said as he opened the door.
I stepped outside and immediately sunk into the softest ground I’d ever walked on. The fine grains of sand pooled around my feet as I stared at my surroundings. The horizon I had only ever dreamed about was right in front of me. A few giant gears stood guard over the quiet little camp. There was a fine shimmer to the air and I knew there must be an illusion spell.
The sun was just about set, but the air was so much clearer out here. There wasn’t the heavy magic sitting in the air. Sand stretched out as far as the eye could see. Little oases of grass and water speckled the landscape. If it wasn’t for the leftovers from airships littering the ground, it would have been impossible to realize this was where a majority of the Wars were fought. The sand was no longer charred and all the spilled blood had slipped beneath the surface.
I realized there would probably be another war soon. I might even be a part of it. A shiver ran down my back. I wanted change, but at what cost would it come? I felt too young to have to deal with all of this; then I thought of my brother, who was too young to be so weak. If my actions could give him a life where he was free to act his age, I would give my life for him.
Mr. Gregor reappeared at my side with our bags. “Shall we go meet everyone?” he asked as he handed me my backpack.
I nodded. If we didn’t meet people soon, I was only going to be fit to fall asleep. We’d been travelling nearly all day. He led the way and we found a handful of people gathered before a large fire. They stood as we approached. “It’s good to see you again, Alex,” they greeted as they shook his hands.
Once they finished, they turned to me. “Who is this?” one asked.
“This is Olivia. I’ve brought her out here to learn some techniques,” he stated as he pushed me towards them.
I wasn’t used to meeting new people. I didn’t know if I should bow or shake their hands. I settled for a curtsy and returned to Mr. Gregor’s side.
“Can we trust her?” the same man asked.
Mr. Gregor nodded. “She lost her parents to the war. Her brother, Henry, is especially susceptible to magic. She looks after him. She’s been working for me for some time now.”
I bit my lip. What if he had brought me all the way out here and they refused to teach me anything? If they thought I might run and tell the Royals, would they leave me out there to fend for myself? I wasn’t sure why I was so worried. I didn’t think Mr. Gregor would let them do that, but they were kind of frightening. I had dealt with enough today without being in a hostile camp. Mr. Gregor squeezed my shoulder reassuringly.
“These men may look intimidating, but they’re pretty nice. The tall, lanky one is Randy. Scott’s the leader out here. He’s the one with blond hair and the swirled tattoo on his left arm. Steve is the dark haired one with glasses. I’m guessing Layla, Katie, and Renee are up at the house,” he said.
Everyone nodded as he said their names. I wasn’t sure I’d remember them all. “There doesn’t seem to be too many people here. Are there more in other areas?” I asked.
It seemed weird that a rebellion would only have seven people involved. If I were to take on the Royals, I’d make sure to have a whole legion of people. Even if I only had seven really good ones.
“This here is just our base camp. We’ve got people stationed everywhere. There are a few that have come to us from the Royal Guard. Most still live within the city and gather as much information as they can. When we all get together, we meet up in the Ravensdale. The guards are less suspicious when a travelling caravan comes in than when dozens of us leave,” Scott said.
That made sense. It would be hard to support so many people out here. With dedicated eyes on the inside they could be privy to information. They were just biding their time until the right opportunity arose.
“I imagine Olivia here is pretty tired. We’ll show you to your rooms. We can get started tomorrow,” Scott stated.
We followed him to a few tents set up near the back of the area. I was amazed at how large the place was. I wondered the degree of magic they used to keep it all hidden. There were so many intricate layers. I could just see them webbing into the sky. Scott stopped at a small tent. There was a lantern glowing from the inside. “Olivia will be staying here. Julia should be arriving shortly and will keep her company. William will be joining us for a few days, as well.”
I stepped inside and realized there were two small areas divided by a blanket. I placed my backpack on the cot in the smaller of the two. “We’ll see you tomorrow, then,” Mr. Gregor said.
“Good night,” I replied.
I waved as they left before sitting on the bed. It was awfully lonely without Henry around. He would have loved to take an adventure if his health was up to it. I thought about seeing if I could bring him next time I was out here. And wondered when I would see him again. I didn’t know how long all of this would take.
As I lay down, all I could think about were the lessons they would teach me. I wondered how much there was to learn about magic. I was giddy at the thought. Still, it wasn’t long before sleep claimed me. I slept soundly through the night, feeling as if I were ensconced in a heavenly warm blanket.
I awoke to the sounds of people milling about. Papa’s pocket-watch read 9am. I ran my fingers over the engraved surface, remembering how he was always so proud to let me tell the time on it. It had been in the family for generations. It was to go to Henry once he was old enough. I wasn’t sure if I could part with it when the time came.
I quickly got ready for the day and headed outside. Whoever was supposed to share the tent with me was already long gone. The sunshine filtered down through a thin veil of magic. Whatever dome we were under was much different from the heavy one placed over Ravensdale. Sparks of silver danced across the barrier. It was transparent enough to actually make out the crisp blue of the sky.
In Ravensdale, the barrier was thick and dark. It diluted the sunlight and blurred the world outside. Somedays, it felt like I was swimming through the air. It was refreshing out here. I wanted to stay out here forever.
I inhaled deeply and felt the magic in the air. It didn’t steal my breath, though. It tickled my throat and I laughed. I already loved it out here. I wished Ravensdale could be like this.
“Ah, good to see you are awake,” Mr. Gregor greeted as he approached me.
He was carrying an armload of items, some of which looked like they might be magic related. I wondered if they were for my lessons or merely moving stock around. “You can follow me and we’ll start with breakfast before showing you around.”
I nodded and followed him. He dropped his supplies near the door of the tent before heading in. Everything was bare minimum for decoration. Like the other tents, this one was also yellow. A few tables were lined up inside. A buffet of breads, eggs, and meat sat to one side. Some people were already seated, eating and talking amongst themselves.
I grabbed a plate and filled my plate before taking a seat at an empty table. Mr. Gregor joined me at my table. He wasn’t too talkative. My mind was whirling too fast to think of where to start. We were finished eating before I realized it. I cleared my dishes and waited for where we were headed next.
Scott came up to his and shook hands with Mr. Gregor again. “It’s damn good to see you back here, Alex. We’ve made some decent headway. Not sure if we’ll be ready by year’s end, but we’re getting closer. We’ll need your input on some of it.”
Mr. Gregor nodded. “Once we get Olivia settled in, I’d be more than happy to take a look.”
And so we were off. I was surprised by the size of the camp. Aside from a glistening in the distance, you couldn’t even see this from outside. There was an infirmary to the north, tents to the west, the meeting room/mess hall was in the center, with training areas to the east. In the south, they held their weapons.
More people had arrived overnight. There were probably thirty of us now. Some were around my age, but most seemed to be thirty or older. Mr. Gregor was one of the oldest people in the camp.
After the tour, Mr. Gregor left me in the hands of Amelia. She was a nice woman, kind and patient. She answered my questions about the camp and magic. She knew a great deal about magic. I had hoped she was my teacher, but her skills seemed to lie in healing. She tried to teach me a few spells, but I didn’t have any luck with them.
When it was time for lunch, she had a picnic basket brought over for us. She took me to the training grounds and we watched some of the students here practicing hand-to-hand combat. They weaved magic in with their movement. There were explosive hits and forceful blocks. It was like watching a match with fireworks.
Amelia had a noted interest when I commented on it, but I didn’t think much of it. I was too focused on watching the way they moved. It was amazing. I hoped I could learn to do that one day.
The day passed rather quickly. Everyone gathered around the fire pit for dinner. More rounds of introductions were made. I was sure I’d learn everyone’s name eventually, but it would take a while. I never had been good with names. I was better with faces.
Sleep came easily for me that night. I didn’t worry too much about Henry. Instead, I dreamed of helping to erase the barrier so he could live again. It was my personal mission to become strong enough to protect him from all the bad. It might take a while, but I would do it for him.
The next day, I was to begin my lessons. Layla and Steve began a basic course on the basics of magic. I knew it was important to learn all of this, but it bored me to pieces. Still, I tried to write down as much as I thought would be important.
I was the only new recruit. As such, I was the only one really receiving magic history lessons. This went on for three weeks before I finally got to try my hand at simple spells. Let me tell you, I wished I was back in the classroom.
I didn’t’ have an adept hand at performing magic. Anything that sparked to life from my fingers, fizzled in the air before it even had a chance to become something. Everyone thought I was a dud. I wondered if Mr. Gregor thought it was a mistake to bring me out here.
Then, just as I was ready to give up and return to my boring life in Ravensdale, I found my niche: void magic. I could see through any spell. If I touched them, spells would slowly unravel. This was a rare gift. Most could learn basic elemental spells, but void magic was different. It was about counter attacks and cancellation. I would never be able to cast illusion like Mr. Gregor or practice healing arts like Amelia, but I could stop an enemy’s spell from causing too much damage.
There was another like me in the camp. His name was William. He had been the soldier we met at the gate. I wondered how he managed to form an illusion. He certainly wasn’t raven haired. However, those eyes were the same I met at the border.
He didn’t treat me like he recognized me. He hardly paid any attention to me in the first few months I was there. It wasn’t until they were able to name my magic that he even acknowledged me. I wasn’t entirely certain he was doing it out of interest. Perhaps he was only doing what was expected of him.
He was much more serious than I would have pegged him for. His eyes were always intense, focused. I could see him drawing magic from the air around us and bending it to his desires. Not only could he void magic, he could manipulate it with the best of them. There were hopes that I could do the same one day. I wasn’t sure I could.
The next six months were a blur of hand-to-hand training mixed with lessons from William. He was a master of his art and only a few years older than me. I was curious to know how long he had been practicing. He wasn’t keen on making conversation. He didn’t speak to me unless he had to. Once lessons were over, he’d retreat back to his tent or find others to spend his time with.
Marissa seemed fond of him. She’d give sparkly little laughs and hang on his every word. He didn’t mind the attention from her. I was jealous. I didn’t understand why. He hardly gave me more than a passing thought. Still, it was like there was a knife twisting in my gut everytime I saw them together. I learned to avoid both of them, when I could.
Time was passing quicker than I realized. The seasons were beginning to change. I grew eager to contact my brother. Mr. Gregor wasn’t sure it was possible. We didn’t even know the names of the people he was staying with. It drove me nuts to not have any word.
Then, a traveling caravan came with supplies for us. They were here to restock our food and equipment. And they brought word of Henry. I spent nearly all my free time talking to them. One of the merchants lived in the colony where my brother was stationed. I was relieved to know he was doing well. He was thriving without the barrier taking his life. He was growing his strength in hopes of one day becoming a traveling merchant himself.
Before they left, I wrote a lengthy letter to my brother. I poured my heart into it, detailing my adventures with magic. Micah took it and promised to deliver it to Henry. It would be a while before they were back again, but he would try to have word sent back to me as soon as it was feasible.
I waited impatiently for the letter to arrive. It would be another two months before a hawk stopped by our camp. It delivered news from other camps as well as a letter from my brother. I quickly devoured the letter, glad to see his penmanship improving.
He was doing well. He could play with the other kids most days. He was still regaining his strength, but he had made great headway. The man he was staying with let him ride the horses. He helped out on the farm, when he could. He wished to see me again, but understood it might be difficult.
By the end of his letter, my eyes were wet. I longed to see my brother again. I spent the rest of the day in my tent and no one seemed too eager to retrieve me.
It wasn’t until supper that I learned the reason why. The Royals had found a small cell of rebels and eliminated all of them. They were sending out a warning to all the others who tried to disobey them. They were closing in on a few other camps. The time to act was drawing near.
I wasn’t ready. I knew there was still a lot I had to learn before I could become useful enough to do anything. I couldn’t ward off offensive attacks. My defensive skills were lacking. Sure I could see through illusions and grasp the strings of spells. It was all pointless without the ability to counterattack.
I approached training differently from that day on. I was more focused and devoted. If I could help Henry and I return to Ravensdale, I would. There wasn’t anything that could get in my way. I think even William was impressed with my dedication.
Two more months had passed and finally I was seeing the results I wanted. I could catch a spell, unravel it, and recast it as something terrifying. It worried me that my magic cast vicious nets that trapped people within them. Still, I learned to control them. I was able to cancel the magic before it did any harm. Still, I would always remember how I had caught Marissa in the net.
It was the first time I had been able to do it. Strings of silver rearranged themselves in the air and settled over her. She screamed in pain as it spread across her skin. Marks seared into her flesh. I could only stare in horror. William had stepped in and dissipated the magic. He’d carried her to the infirmary as I watched.
Despite Amelia’s magic, Marissa still bore the scars from my attack. She’d forgiven me, but I couldn’t forgive myself. I vowed to practice until I could control my magic. I tested it on inanimate objects. Long after everyone else went to bed, I was still up. I wouldn’t do that again. I’d be the one commanding magic.
Shaking my head, I focused once again on the task at hand. Unwind illusions, dispel the magic. Break disguises without having to touch someone. Learn to make my spells quicker, sharper. William ensured there would be no more mistakes. He didn’t let me practice breaking spells on anyone but him. My magic died before even landing on him.
He pushed me harder than I thought I could work. Sometimes, I’d catch him watching me at night. He never offered any advice or made any mention of it. He merely expected me to perform better. I didn’t get any breaks for missing sleep.
After a month of training like this, it finally caught up with me. I went to draw magic, but nothing happened. Then I was falling and the world went black.
When I woke up, it was dark outside. Confusion tinged my memory. I couldn’t recall all that had happened. What I did know was I wasn’t in my tent. The smells of antiseptic and lemon led me to believe I was in the infirmary. This was confirmed a short while later when Amelia popped her head in.
“It’s good to see you awake,” she said as she came over. She had on her motherly smile and I relaxed a little. She touched a hand to my forehead and I felt a whisper of her magic. It was cool and calming, even if it dissipated as soon as it touched me.
I wondered if I would ever be able to accept magic like William did. He was a master Void wielder, twisting and manipulating magic to do his bidding. Magic was often cancelled in his presence, but he could make it stick. He could carry illusion and be healed with magic.
“Do you remember what happened?” she asked me, drawing me from my thoughts.
I frowned at her. I didn’t like feeling like a little kid, but I guessed I deserved some of it. “Well, I was outside practicing magic and, I guess I just fainted.”
Amelia nodded. “Try to take it easy for a few days, okay? And no more midnight sessions. You have enough practice without skipping sleep. There should be a small meal for you in your tent.”
I mumbled my thanks and headed out. It was hard to accept that I couldn’t push myself as hard. All I wanted was for this stupid tension to be over. I wanted to see my brother again. I wanted to live without the suffocating barrier. I knew magic was the only way that I could see it through. I just had to accept it would take time.
Another year would pass before things had grown to their tipping point. I was stronger, now. I could manipulate magic as well as William. I still couldn’t convince magic to allow me to use illusion. Most things people cast on me were instantly dispelled. Only powerful attacks had any effect on me. Marissa’s fire magic had proven that I was not immune to all magic. I’ll wear those scars for the rest of my life. It made us even.
There had been talk for months that war was coming. I was caught up in the middle of it. I would do my best, but even then I knew I wouldn’t be prepared. Everyone was acting different. People were finalizing the details. The Royals were coming for us. If we didn’t act first, they would win.
I stood on the Eastern edge of the barrier. Flames glowed in the distance. It wouldn’t be long before they were here. Their lights cast shadows across the gears lining the horizon. We might not have technology, but we had magic. More magic than they knew we had. Change was coming. I just hoped it wasn’t as devastating as the last war.